Pengcheng, the camp of King Yan.

Contrary to Yingchuan, Pengcheng did defend the city in Youzhou, and the imperial army defended the city. Since King Yan personally led the troops to fight, Youzhou Wei has been like a bamboo. If it weren't for the continuous flow of soldiers and horses from the imperial court, I am afraid that Youzhou Wei would not be far from Jinling now.

In the big tent, King Yan coughed a few times in a low voice. Raising his hand and spreading out the handkerchief in his hand, a few spots of scarlet appeared in the middle of the dark cyan handkerchief. The string song boy came in with a bowl of medicine, and when he happened to see his scene, he couldn't help frowning. In the past two years, King Yan's health has not been very good, and he has been tired from a long time of military work, and he can't let his subordinate generals see it. Just looking at his appearance, King Yan has lost a lot of weight compared to two years ago. However, the people below didn't know the inside story, and they only thought that King Yan was just due to long-term fatigue, and no one suspected that he was poisoned.

Xian Ge frowned, walked over and put the pill on the table, and said in a deep voice: "The prince's body can't be delayed any longer. I'm going to go to Kanwai myself. ”

The demon flowers in the Yan King's place are too rare, and there are no ones in the Central Plains. They also sent people to look for it, but the people in the past were not familiar with the environment, and only found one or two. If it is not handled properly, it is no longer of much use to bring it back. Xian Ge is ready to go and see it for himself.

King Yan smiled bitterly, "It's been hard work for the past two years. ”

Xian Ge snorted softly and did not speak. It can be regarded as getting along for two years, and King Yan is very accustomed to the attitude of the string song boy, and he doesn't care about it, but just said: "The string song boy thinks that how long can this king last?" ”

Xian Ge said indifferently: "If I can find an antidote, I can naturally think about it for as long as I want." If you can't find it... The prince is now back to the Yan Palace, and he can drag it out for three or five years. But according to the current situation of the prince... If I can't come back within a year, the prince will think about how to explain the future. ”

King Yan lowered his eyes and was silent, and only after a long time did he sigh lightly and said, "Maybe it's really probable." It's just that... This king is still a little unwilling. ”

Xian Ge raised his eyebrows, disapproving. He has seen a lot of princes and nobles who are afraid of death, and he is in the prime of life, who will not be unwilling to die? If it weren't for the sake of Senior Sister and Wei Junmo, he would never have wasted so much time on King Yan. Of course, the poison of the demon flower did arouse his interest. The son of the string song is a good piano doctor in his life, and it is difficult to encounter a poison that even he finds tricky, if he can't solve it, wouldn't it seem that he is incompetent?

King Yan picked up the one he had in his hand and drank it all, nodded at the string song boy, and said, "The matter of detoxification is bothering the string song boy, since the son said so... The king's body will be fine for at least a year, right? ”

Xian Ge nodded, and King Yan said, "That's good." ”

Xian Ge got up and said, "I will prepare the medicine that the prince needs in advance this year, and I will set off in three days." ”

King Yan nodded.

"Lord Qiqi, urgent report in the army!" Outside the tent, a soldier said in a deep voice.

"Come in."

The soldier hurriedly came in and said loudly: "Lord Qiqi, a few days ago, Wei Gongzi and the county lord of Xingcheng led an army of 400,000 out of Qingyun Mountain and galloped to the aid of Yingchuan!" ”

Xian Ge, who was about to go out, heard this, paused again and turned around and sat back.

King Yan didn't care, took the soldier's deep letter and raised his eyebrows: "400,000 troops? The two of them have not been in vain in Chenzhou in the past two years. "Wei Junmo can lead an army of 400,000 to aid Yingchuan, then he should have at least 600,000 soldiers and horses in his hands. You must know that the standing guards of the Yan Wangfu back then were only more than 400,000. Of course, after the start of the war, the number of soldiers and horses expanded rapidly, and now there are no less than one million.

However, it is not a simple matter to be able to afford this 600,000-strong army.

"Summoning the generals to discuss the matter."

"Yes, lord."

The generals in the army came quickly, led by Chen Yu and Xiao Qianjiong. Although Xiao Qianjiong's status is still low now, he is still the son of King Yan after all, and he can listen to every time there is a discussion in the army.

"I've seen the prince."

King Yan nodded, raised his hand and handed the letter to Chen Yu. After reading it, Chen Yu raised his eyebrows slightly, and said with a smile: "It seems that the prince doesn't have to worry about the siege of Yingchuan." ”

"Oh?" King Yan raised his eyebrows, it was not that they didn't know the predicament of Yingchuan, but now Pengcheng's side has also reached a critical time, if the soldiers and horses are withdrawn at this time to gallop to Yingchuan, Pengcheng's efforts these days will also be in vain. It may even be that you won't be able to get both. Therefore, he can only pin his hopes on Wei Junmo in Chenzhou. Chen Yu also had to secretly rejoice in his heart at this time, fortunately... There is also a Wei Gongzi.

Chen Yu said with a smile: "Wei Gongzi is really a natural handsome talent. If he directly led the army to press over, even if the siege of Yingchuan was lifted, he was afraid that he would suffer heavy casualties. But now Wei Gongzi's soldiers are divided into two ways, and he also takes some of Tang Zeng's soldiers and horses to walk around, which can not only consume the strength of the enemy army, but also relieve the pressure on Xue Zhen's side. If you wait until the three armies exert their strength at the same time, Tang Zeng's hundreds of thousands of troops are not enough. This... Maybe Yingchuan will not only not be lost, but will also be able to extinguish a new force in the imperial court. ”

Chen Yu is also a person who is accustomed to using tricks, just looking at the movements of the soldiers and horses in the letter, he can roughly understand what Wei Junmo has in mind. It's just that they can see it clearly from the outside, but it takes great confidence and ability for Wei Gongzi to do so. Among them, if there is the slightest mistake and accident, the final result will be completely different.

Xiao Sangongzi's eyes widened excitedly on the side. I haven't seen him for two or three years, and my cousin seems to be even more powerful.

What Chen Yu could see clearly, King Yan naturally understood better. For Yingchuan's affairs, he has not worried about it from beginning to end. Just thinking of the cause of the siege of Yingchuan, it is inevitable that there is still a little unsightly. The generals thought that he was worried about the safety of Yingchuan, and they all spoke out to comfort him. Only Chen Yu touched his nose and closed his mouth.

King Yan lowered his eyes and said lightly: "Since Yingchuan doesn't need us to worry, then... Let's take Pengcheng as much as possible. ”

"Yes, Lord Wang!" The generals responded in unison.

Try your best to take Pengcheng, but this is not an easy task. The guard of Pengcheng was Shao Zhong, the general of Pingbei who had just been canonized by Xiao Qianye a few years ago, and Shi Jingxiang, the deputy general, were all very outstanding generals. Shao Zhong was originally the commander of the thirteen guards of Jinling, and when he counted, Wei Junmo was also his subordinate at the beginning. Shi Jingxiang originally guarded the south and defeated the southern barbarians several times. In the past two years, the Youzhou Army has been like a bamboo, and several changes of generals have not been able to stop the offensive of the Youzhou Army. In desperation, Xiao Qianye accepted the construction of the Duke of Eguo and asked these two people to lead the troops to resist the Youzhou army.

These two people really did not disappoint, although they accepted a bad deck of cards, they forcibly intercepted King Yan's army in Pengcheng for more than a month without success. Even a famous player like Chen Yu feels that these two people are very tricky.

retreated from the other generals, leaving only Chen Yu and Xiao Qianjiong in the big tent and the string song boy who was listening. Chen Yu was not polite to follow King Yan for more than ten years, and said bluntly: "Lord Wang, Shao Zhong and Shi Jingxiang are not fuel-efficient lamps, let's not be in a hurry." "Speaking of which, these two people don't know if they are born at the wrong time, if they were born in the last year of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, it is not difficult to worship the marquis, and I am afraid that the achievement does not need to be Nangong Huai and Eguo Gong. Of course, if they can completely defeat the Youzhou Army this time, what awaits them will naturally be glory, wealth and fame.

King Yan raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, nodded slightly, and said, "This king knows." It's just that Pengcheng has not been able to get down for more than a month, and the officers and men in the army are only afraid that the morale of the army will fluctuate. ”

Chen Yu nodded and asked, "What does Master Nianyuan have to offer?" ”

Chen Yu was not familiar with the Buddhist disciple who followed King Yan, but he also admired the resourcefulness of the other party. In the past two years, they have played so smoothly, and this Master Nianyuan has also made great contributions.

King Yan said: "Nianyuan thinks that we can make a situation to bypass Pengcheng Siyang?" ”

Chen Yu was stunned for a moment, and said with some hesitation: "This... Isn't it a bit risky? It's no problem to bypass Pengcheng, but if Shao Zhong sends troops to intercept it, we will be attacked from front to back. ”

Outside the door, Nian Yuan's low laughter came, "General Chen is really keen, the general is relieved, the little monk just pretends to give up?" ”

The curtain of the big tent was lifted from the outside, and Nian Yuan, dressed in a white monk's robe, walked in. has been in the army for several years, and under the bloody wind and rain, Nianyuan is still white-clothed like snow, like an immortal outside the sky, a pure lotus in front of the Buddha, not stained with dust and customs, and not stained with any blood.

"Lord Wang."

King Yan waved his hand and smiled, "Master, please take a seat." ”

Nian Yuan thanked him, nodded to the string song boy, and sat down under him.

Chen Yu said a little impatiently: "If Master Nianyuan is talented, please give me advice." ”

Nian Yuan said: "Shao Zhong and Shi Jingxiang... Shao Zhong has a calm personality and is the best at guarding the city. And Shi Jingxiang is resourceful and good at attacking. However, the shortcomings of these two are also obvious, Shao Zhong is not decisive enough, and Shi Jingxiang is not calm enough. These two people together are unbreakable, but if these two are separated......"

Chen Yu's eyes were slightly cold, "Divide and attack?" But... Forgive me, master, even so, Siyang is not a good place. "Siyang is backed by Fuling Lake, the water system in the territory is developed, and the rivers are criss-crossed, so it is definitely not a good place for them, the northern army who are good at fighting on the plains.

Nian Yuan shook his head and said with a smile: "It is precisely because of this that Shi Jingxiang can be transferred out." If you take the western road, attack Yundu. Not to mention whether we can fight it in a short time, Yundu is an important town, and it must be heavily garrisoned, if it can't be attacked for a long time, it will attract nearby garrisons, but I am afraid that it will really fall into the quagmire and cannot extricate itself. ”

Chen Yu lowered his eyebrows and thought for a long time, and had to admit that Nian Yuan's words were reasonable, but he was still a little uneasy about this Jianyi, "Lord Wang, this matter is ......"

King Yan nodded, he was also a little worried. After all, the soldiers and horses in the north are not good at water warfare, which is also an objective fact. Nianyuan didn't force it, and instead talked about Yingchuan. Nian Yuan had the intention to take a long-term view of this matter, so he naturally put it aside.

"String Song Boy, do you have any advice?" Nian Yuan, who said this to Chen Yu, turned his head sideways, and looked at the large number of strings that had been staring at him with a smile.

Xian Ge shook his head and said with a smile, "It's nothing, it's just that I suddenly remembered that my son has been admiring the master's piano skills for a long time, but he has never been able to ask for advice, which is a little regrettable." ”

It is also interesting to say, Xian Ge is the exclusive physician of King Yan, and Nian Yuan is the most powerful strategist around King Yan. But after two or three years in a military **, these two people are completely unfamiliar. Although the young man of the string song has never liked to talk to the generals in the army and the staff of the Yan Wangfu, the intersection between the two is still pitiful in comparison.

Even the officers and soldiers in the army secretly thought that these two people were probably looking at each other unpleasantly. After all, they are all ordinary handsome and extraordinary, and their abilities are outstanding, and it is not difficult to understand that the king does not see the king.

Nian Yuan smiled lightly: "Xu is the son of the string song is busy with affairs, if the son does not dislike it, why not go to the little monk's tent to talk about a game?" ”

String Song Gongzi waved his hand, "That's still free, Ben Gongzi has no interest in playing chess." ”

Nian Yuan didn't care, "I have heard the string song for a long time, and if you are lucky enough to listen to the fairy sound, it is also a blessing for the little monk." ”

The young man of the string song looked at Nian Yuan for a long time, and then said slowly: "The master is polite." ”

Next to him, Xiao Qianjiong and Chen Yu glanced at each other.

I always feel that these two are not as polite as they seem on the surface. Sure enough, these learned people are annoying.

These days, Tang Zeng's original ambition has been swept away, and he has been replaced by a burnt heart.

Since he got the news of Wei Junmo's troops, he hasn't stopped for a day. In reality, the grain and grass in Yuncheng were robbed, and then Nangong Xu captured Xiangcheng. After that, Xue Zhen suddenly gave up the stubbornly defending Yingchuan and retreated to Xia Ting. Before the army could be happy when it entered Yingchuan, Tang Zeng almost fell headlong under the city tower.

A few days ago, he was still surrounding Yingchuan, forcing Xue Zhen to be miserable. In an instant, the shape was reversed, and he became the one who was surrounded. Wei Junmo and Xue Zhen had a three-way round of soldiers and horses, with an army of six or seven hundred thousand, not to mention dividing his soldiers and horses, and the most elite of the two hundred thousand soldiers and horses were also surrounded into Yingchuan City.

In desperation, Tang Zeng had no choice but to report to Jinling on the one hand, and send someone to Shao Zhong in Pengcheng for help.

In Xue Zhen's camp under Yingchuan City, Nangong Xu sat in the first position of the head and calmly listened to Xue Zhen's words of gratitude. Xiao Qianchi and Xiao Qianwei, the brothers sitting opposite, Xiao Qianchi was okay to say, but Xiao Qianwei's face was a little dark. Two years ago, although it was not that he drove Nangong Xu out of the army, the reason was that Nangong Xu ran away in anger because of the discord between the two of them. Now that he has been rescued by Nangong Xu, Xiao Qianwei is no longer calm, and his face looks a little uncomfortable.

Xue Zhen didn't have these concerns, and looked at Nangong Xu's eyes full of admiration, "This time, our army was able to get out of trouble, all thanks to Nangong Gongzi." The old man would like to thank the son. ”

Nangong Xu shook his head and said indifferently: "General Xue's words are serious, it's all Wei Gongzi's layout, and Nangong is just acting according to orders." ”

Nangong Xu was modest, but Xue Zhen didn't really take it seriously. Although he didn't see it with his own eyes, he had also heard about the battle of the Chenzhou army attacking Xiangcheng. There is also the battle to defend Youzhou City back then, it is really hard to believe that this is a young man who has never been on the battlefield can command.

Of course, Xue Zhen was not surprised by these wizards under the command of Wei Gongzi. After all, Wei Gongzi didn't have much experience in leading troops before he fought with the Northern Yuan people. But looking at the war that took Chenzhou and other places later, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is amazing.

"Nangong Gongzi is polite." Xue Zhen said with a smile.

Nangong Xu didn't like to greet people, and he didn't say much, and discussed the next battle with Xue Zhen. The two of them were talking energetically, and the soldiers outside the door hurriedly announced, "General Qiqi, Wei Gongzi and the county lord of Xingcheng have arrived!" ”

Hearing this, Xue Zhen stood up abruptly and said with a smile: "It's finally here!" Quick, go out with General Ben to greet Wei Gongzi and the Lord of Star City. ”

Before the words fell, Nangong Mo's laughter was remembered outside, "General Xue doesn't have to be polite, we hope to forgive me for coming uninvited." ”

Nangong Mo and Wei Junmo were both dressed in regular clothes, and walked in from outside side by side. The two of them stretched out their hands, and it was indeed Lin Changfeng, Jian Qiuyang and other generals.

Xue Zhen said with a smile: "The county lord is polite, the old man thanks Gongzi Wei and the county lord for their righteous action." ”

Wei Junmo nodded slightly and said, "It should be, the general doesn't have to see outside." ”

Xue Zhen nodded again and again, and said with a smile: "What Childe said is good, Childe, County Lord, please take a seat." ”

Nangong Mo said with a smile: "Ling Lang is also here, isn't General Xue seen?" Xue Bin? ”

Of course, Xue Zhen wanted to see his son, but he still knew the priorities. But since Nangong Mo has mentioned it, how can he still bear it? When he raised his head, he saw a young general walking out of the several young generals who followed behind, knelt on the ground towards Xue Zhen, and said loudly: "The child has seen his father!" ”

Xue Zhen fixed his eyes, who was not the son he hadn't seen for a few years?

I haven't seen him for two or three years, and the famous gentleman in Youzhou City back then is indeed taller, thinner and darker now. But the undisguised sharpness and sharpness between the eyebrows made people almost unable to see the shadow of the gentleman at the beginning. If it weren't for the exact same face and the familiar light in his eyes. Xue Zhen almost didn't dare to recognize this son.

"Bin'er?"

Xue Bin smiled and said, "Dad, my son has just made a great contribution." Childe said that he would promote me to lieutenant general. ”

Xue Zhen hurriedly said: "This kid is reckless by nature, and Master Wei can't indulge him." At a young age, where can he afford the position of deputy general? "Wei Gongzi has hundreds of thousands of troops under his command, and the deputy general is not low. You must know that before Youzhou Wei started a war with the imperial court, Xue Zhen had been holding the position of deputy general. Of course, this is because of the relationship between the Yan Wangfu and the imperial court, and Xue Zhen, the deputy general, has more real power than the general of the imperial court, and cannot be compared with Xue Bin. But even so, Xue Bin is still too young.

Nangong Mo said with a smile: "This time to attack Shangshui, Xue Bin has made the first contribution. If you don't reward your merits, won't it make the soldiers below feel unjust? General Xue rest assured, Xue Bin is his true ability, not to see your face. ”

Xue Zhen was a little embarrassed, he really thought that Wei Gongzi and the Lord of Star City took care of his son for the sake of his face.

Hearing this, Xue Bin didn't follow it.

"Old man, don't talk nonsense about your son's desperate work on the battlefield, and ruin my military exploits. Chen Yu was promoted earlier than me. ”

Hearing this, Xue Zhen's eyes widened fiercely, "I see that you haven't been beaten for a few years, and your skin is itchy!" But there was a slow smile and relief in his eyes.

Xue Zhen snorted lightly, has this son been beaten less in recent years? I've long been afraid of beatings.